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Alfons Rubbens takes a break at the Casey van Marl: Soccer Centre In Ballantrae Park. He Is standing next to the plaque dedlcatlng the centre to van Maris, a fan mer presldent of the w h l t c h u r c h - Stouffvllle Soccer "The numbers are still ‘there overall. But it stops once they reach 14 or 15." Rubbens said this summer’s World Cup should provide a boost to interest in the ame, but also sees next year's Under-20 orld Championships, which will be hosted by Canada, as a critical opportuni- ty to generate interest in the sport. A new stadium is due to be built in Toronto in conjunction with the Under-20 event. Rubbens, a native of Holland, started the Whitchurch- Stouffville Soccer Club for very practical reasons. "When my son Acco to Rubbena, the game has gone thxou a dry apell over the last cou- Ele of years, not just in the Whitchurch- touffville area but across Canada. "The World Cup in the US. [in 1994], really boosted the levels [of participation]," he said, 'but it has not wn in the last two years. There is not ' sustaining it in Canada at the moment. There is no pro Inge. There. is a lot lackgnglat the top.__ The 73-yemold community resident hnbeenakeyp la rontheloulloccer scene for almostp 4 yea." He founded the Whltchurch- Stouffvllle Soccer Club in 1977 and gulded it throufi'l: in culy years, and he a currently pubhs er and editor of Inside Soccer ma zine, a publication he launched in 1 that now enjoys a mtioml profile. Alfons Rubbcns can we a soccer revival coming to the Whitchurch-Stouffville ml, and he Ihould know. By John Hopkins Rubbens started ublishing Inside Soccer when he retire; and says hmstlie pubâ€" lication has become a great success. "lt' 5 become a major thing," he said "I’ m the only one who publishes a magazine in Canada, and the con- tacts We made throu hout North America, and the frien 5 I’ve made, are wonderful. " Currently the magazine, which is ublished every two months, is ocusing on specific themes geared to promoti the ame among you Elayers. n‘Fhe Apgril issue includedng ournament and Camp Cu1de, while the next edition will feature a parâ€" ents' guide to soccer "In those days [when the club started] it was very easy to t enthusiastic par- ents and volunteers, at lained Rubbens, who took two Stou fville teams to Europe in his time with the club. "But there's a lack of volunteers now, and I mean volunteers with a passion. Parents are not involved in the ame anymore. They are so busy now. Fthink it’s the same with baseball. "It’s such a pity. We used to have so much fun. There was so much unity'and it was a wonderful time." The club its me: at the Casey van Maris y'r Cesraitre in Baflnntrae Park The centre was dedicated to the late van Maris, a former president of the club, on Sept. 21, 2002. Rubbens says the club enjoyed a great deal of support over the first 10 years, but admits that such enthusiasm has been hard to come by more recently. It is a phenomenon he thinks isn’t restricted to soccer or to the Whitchurch-Stouffville area. SoMthaQflOOgnntfmnithemu/n for ui ment and unifomu, Rubbens su h t c Whitclfwrch-Stoulfafvillc club. One- undred and any-six p yen regilw tcred for that flu: season and 10 teams were formed. and daughter started playing I had to take them to Aurora," he explained. 'Then I would take their friends, and aoon I was driving aeven kids to soccer ea in Aurora. [thought ‘Thia is erazy. f , V I ,w‘-‘ 1'I wouldn't be surprised if we see registrations in Stouffville start to grow again." It is all part of Rubbens’ continuâ€" ing efforts to w the game in his community an across the country. "I wouldn't be surprised if we get another kick at it," he said when lookâ€" ingnahead't'o the next coupie of years.